The BVI is an incredible place to raise children. Our climate ensures that we are outdoors more often than not. For my family this means we spend most weekends at the beach, on or under the water – there is nothing that compares to a front row seat in our marine environment.
The benefits to children’s overall health and wellbeing when they are outside in nature are scientifically proven to be many, especially in this technological age. Playing outside builds their confidence, independence, self-esteem, helps them to learn to problem-solve and increases resilience. We know that the more time they spend in nature, the more likely they are to grow up to be planet guardians.
One of our favourite family outdoor activities is snorkelling. Our twin boys are six years old and the joy of being under water with them while encountering the BVI’s wonderful marine life and environment up close, sometimes just steps from the beach, is nothing short of magical.
They began snorkelling at around age three in a shallow swimming spot we frequented on the beach in front of Loose Mongoose Bar and Restaurant at Trellis Bay. Once they put on a mask and popped their head under the water, swimming became second nature and we began to see and check-off a long list of amazing marine creatures that I could only have dreamed of.
The first was a green moray eel hiding in a tiny cave less than 20 feet off the beach at Trellis Bay on Tortola. Following that, we were very lucky to see two Caribbean Reef octopus near Cooper Island, a black and yellow chain moray eel near Norman Island and too many turtles and stingrays to count, while snorkelling in Anegada.
We have checked endless fish life off our list including two adorable juvenile French Angelfish that followed us like puppies near Brewer’s Bay, a huge Barracuda in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, plus endless schools of Blue Tang (look out for the little bright yellow ones which are the juvenile of the species), Fairy Basslet, Grouper, Rainbow Parrotfish, Sergeant Major, Squirrelfish, Tarpon, Trumpetfish, Trunkfish (Buffalofish) and many others.
I always remind our boys that although at times our marine life may seem friendly or tame, we should never disturb the natural flow of the ocean and always stay safe while on or under the water.
Until parents are absolutely confident in their children’s ability to swim, we recommend a lifejacket and other floatation device such as a buoyancy noodle.